Creating a video game takes a few months or sometimes even several years. Additionally, this process involves not just programming itself, but also art and sound design, various types writing, and project management. Additionally, the global market of games expected to surpass $200 billion by 2023.

Whether you're an experienced developer or just starting out, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the game development process, and help you navigate the many challenges and opportunities that come with creating your own game.

Here we explain to you about the basic stages of game development cycle. So, let's start! 

How To Make A Game From Scratch 

Firstly in game development process you need definitely to come up with a certain concept and plan out the game's objectives, mechanics, and, of course design. At this point you move into pre-production, where you flesh out the game's visuals and particular aspects of characters. In the stage that is called production, create the game's assets and code the mechanics of the game. Last thing is usually considered to be post-production, which means testing and refining the game, so that public launch is successful. 

Idea Is The Key To Successful Game Development Process

Idea can be perceived as the foundation in any successful game development cycle. It should be unique and engaging, having in mind, that the product should be useful and interesting to a particular audience. A strong concept can make the difference between a story that gets lost in a crowded market and one that becomes a hit. It's crucial to take the time to brainstorm and refine ideas before moving on to the development stages. 

7 Essential Stages Of Game Development 

7 Essential Stages Of Game Development

Now we`re going to take you through fundamental game development phases and explain what is done in each one of them: 

Planning

In this initial stage, the development team defines the game concept, establishes a vision and mission statement, determines the target audience, sets project scope, and establishes a budget and timeline. Proper planning is crucial to ensure that the team has a clear understanding of the game's objectives and can work efficiently to create a successful product.

Pre-production: Shaping the Game

During pre-production, the team begins to flesh out the game design by developing the storyline, designing characters, and mapping out the game mechanics. To get a feel for how the game will look, the team creates concept art, storyboards, and sketches. This stage sets the tone and direction of the game and lays the foundation for production.

Prototyping (if desired)

Prototyping allows developers to experiment with various game ideas, mechanics, and design elements before finalizing the product. The main goal is to test the game's feasibility and identify any potential issues during development. By creating a prototype, developers can refine their ideas and ensure that the final product meets their standards.

The “Actual” Work: Production 

This part is the actual development of the game. This involves creating the game's assets, programming the game mechanics, designing levels, and creating sound effects and music. The team will also test the game regularly to identify and fix any issues. The production stage is typically the longest stage in the game development process, and it's essential to have a dedicated team to ensure the game's successful completion. 

Testing (Polishing)

Polishing  is a crucial stage in game development, as it helps to identify and fix any bugs or issues in the game. During this stage, the team tests the game thoroughly, looking for any gameplay issues, glitches, or crashes and works on the process called feature freeze. The team should also collect feedback from testers and make changes accordingly. Those actions help to ensure that the game is stable, fun to play, and ready for release. 

Pre-Launch 

The pre-launch stage involves creating marketing materials, developing a launch plan, setting up distribution channels, and conducting beta testing. It generates buzz and excitement for a successful game launch. Developers can also showcase their game at conventions or use independent advertising, such as YouTube reviews or sponsored content, to reach niche audiences and build a fan base. 

Launch 

During the launch stage, the team focuses on promoting the game, managing player feedback, and addressing any issues that arise, including major and minor bug fixing. This stage is also an opportunity to gather data on the game's performance, including player engagement, retention, and monetization. After the launch, the team may continue to release patches and updates. The master release marks the completion of the game development process and the final version of the game. 

Post-release (Live-Ops)

The post-release features ongoing support and maintenance of the game after its launch. This includes monitoring player feedback, addressing bugs and issues, releasing patches and updates, and managing the game's community. The post-release stage is critical for maintaining player engagement and ensuring the game's longevity. This stage can also involve developing new content, features, and expansions to keep the game fresh and appealing to players. 

Game Development Process: Key Roles Explained

Game Development team: Key Roles Explained

Carefully picked out team helps to maintain game development cycle on the right track. Here we explain the main roles: 

Programmers 

Programmers code the game and bring it to life. They work closely with other members of the development team to ensure the game's mechanics and systems function properly and are optimized for performance. 

Artists 

Artists tasks in the process of creating a game are: the visual filling of the game to life. This includes user interface, character appearance and all the other things that we will see as the end result. They ensure the aesthetic will align with the intended vision and enhance the overall journey through the story. 

Sound designers or Composers

Sound designers or composers give life to the game through audio, including sound effects, background music, and voice-over work. Their work should complement the atmosphere of the created world and mood of it.

Quality Assurance, QA, or Game Testers

Those people ensure the game is free of bugs and issues before release. They identify and report any problems and conduct extensive testing.

Writers 

The writers of the game are responsible for crafting its unique narrative, characters, and dialogue that enhance the player's experience. They work closely with the development team to ensure that the story aligns with the game's vision and mission. Furthermore, they may contribute to developing the game's lore and world-building elements.

Game Designers

Game architects utilize various tools and methods to create game design documents, wireframes, and prototypes that effectively communicate their ideas to stakeholders and the development team. The success of a game largely depends on the expertise of game architects, who must create an immersive and captivating player experience.

Producers

Project managers play a vital role in game development, providing oversight of the project's overall management, ensuring adherence to schedules and budgets, and collaborating with external partners such as investors or publishers. They are the driving force behind the development process, responsible for keeping the team on track and ensuring the game's success.

Managers

These specialists oversee various aspects of the project and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Managers also handle communication and coordination with external partners, such as publishers or platform holders, and are responsible for delivering the final product on time and within budget.

Launch The Best Game With Our Expert Tips

Choose The Right Tools

To launch the best game possible, it's important to choose the right tools for game development. For example, game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine provide developers with powerful tools for creating and optimizing 3D graphics. It's important to carefully research and evaluate different tools to ensure that they meet the specific needs of your game development project. 

Play Similar Games And Critically Review Them 

To launch the best game possible, it's important to play similar games and critically review them. By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of these games, you can gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn't, and use this knowledge to improve your own game. Additionally, it's important to stay up-to-date with industry trends and innovations to ensure that your game is competitive and relevant. 

Try To Innovate As Much As Possible

When developing a game, it's important to innovate and bring something new to the table. This can be achieved by exploring new mechanics, introducing new characters, or implementing unique art styles. For example, the game "Undertale" introduced a novel combat system that involved dodging enemy attacks in a bullet hell-like format, while also offering players the option to spare enemies instead of fighting them. Innovations like this can help set your game apart and generate buzz among players.

Ways To Speed Up Your Game Development Process

There are several ways to speed up the stages of game development, including using game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, reusing code and assets from previous projects, outsourcing tasks to specialized companies, and implementing agile development methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban to optimize workflow and increase efficiency.

We've compiled advice from a variety of game development experts and create clear and detailed handbook with Tips for Successful Game Development.

Also, many teams use outsourcing game development, which can help accelerate the process by delegating the project needs to other game developers, studios, or companies. This can free up your team to focus on more critical aspects of your game project.

What’s the Future of Game Development

The future of game development looks promising with the advancement of technology such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. These technologies are already being integrated into many games and are expected to continue to shape the future of game development. Additionally, the popularity of mobile gaming is expected to continue to grow, leading to more innovation in the mobile gaming industry.

Curious about the impact of AI in game development?

Discover the transformative power of artificial intelligence in our feature article: Exploring the Role of AI in Video Game Development. This insightful piece delves into how AI is reshaping game design, character development, and player experience. It's a must-read for any game developer eager to understand and harness the latest AI technologies in their projects.

So What Are The Takeaways Here

In summary, game development is a complex process that requires a lot of planning, coordination, and hard work. It is important to have a clear idea and plan before starting development, as well as a dedicated team with the necessary skills. Testing and pre-launch marketing are crucial for a successful release, and the future of game development will likely involve advancements in technology such as virtual and augmented reality.

FAQ 

What Are The Main Game Development Stages? 

The main game development stages can vary depending on the project, but they typically include planning, pre-production, production, testing, pre-launch, launch, and post-production. 

Why Are Live-ops Important For Mobile Games?

Live-ops (short for live operations) are important for mobile games because they allow game developers to continuously update and improve their game after it has been launched. This is crucial for keeping players engaged and interested in the game over time, which in turn can lead to increased revenue through in-app purchases and advertisements. 

How To Implement LiveOps Into My Game? 

To implement live-ops into a game, developers need to establish a framework that allows for frequent updates and changes to the game's content. Game developers can use various tools and platforms, such as cloud-based infrastructure and analytics tools, to streamline the live-ops process and make it more efficient.